Diet and Immune Effects Trial (DIET)- a randomized, double-blinded dietary intervention study in patients with melanoma receiving immunotherapy.

Background: Gut microbiome modulation is a promising strategy for enhancing the response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Fecal microbiota transplant studies have shown positive signals of improved outcomes in both ICB-naïve and refractory melanoma patients; however, this strategy is challenging to scale. Diet is a key determinant of the gut microbiota, and we have previously shown that (a) habitual high dietary fiber intake is associated with an improved response to ICB and (b) fiber manipulation in mice impacts antitumor immunity.

Dietary intakes associated with successful weight loss and maintenance during the Weight Loss Maintenance trial.

Background: Dietary components effective in weight maintenance efforts have not been adequately identified.

Objective: To determine the effects of changes in dietary consumption on weight loss and maintenance during the Weight Loss Maintenance clinical trial.

Design: Weight Loss Maintenance was a randomized controlled trial.

The "Rolling Store:" an economical and environmental approach to the prevention of weight gain in African American women.

Objective: To test the feasibility of the "Rolling Store," an innovative food-delivery intervention, along with a nutrition education program to increase the consumption of healthy foods (fruits and vegetables) to prevent weight gain in African American women.

Methods: Forty eligible African American women were enrolled in the study and randomized to intervention or control groups. A trained peer educator and a Rolling Store operator implemented the study protocol at a local community center.

Cultural characteristics of African Americans: implications for the design of trials that target behavior and health promotion programs.

Objective: To identify African American cultural characteristics that may be used to modify clinical trial designs and behavioral programs aimed at losing weight and maintaining weight loss.

Design: Focus group discussions.

Setting: University-affiliated biomedical research center.